Understanding the role of a cover letter

Imagine you were applying to Harvard University and you filled out all parts of the application, but you skipped the personal statements because you simply “didn’t feel like it”. It is almost guaranteed that you will not be admitted no matter how good your GPA or test scores are.

Now imagine you are applying for your dream job and the thought of writing a cover letter is not only dreadful, but also you “don’t feel like” writing endlessly for each job you are applying to. The fact that you did not supply a cover letter along with your resume will reflect your lack of interest in their firm. Therefore, it is imperative that you write a thoughtful cover letter tailored to each job description.

• Cover letter writing tips

1) Address the person you are applying to.

If you know who will be reviewing your cover letter, make sure to address the person who can hire you. Make sure the name is spelled correctly and find out which formality should be used: “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” Ms.,” “Dr.,” etc.

2) Be personable.

You do not want to sound mechanical in your cover letter. Your resume will sound mechanical enough so no need to bring redundancy. Employers are not only looking for employees who are fit for the job, but also who can get along with colleagues on their desks.

3) Display your knowledge about the firm and the industry.

This is your chance to impress how much research you’ve done about the company and that you are passionate about the position. Do not exaggerate your love for the company such as “It has always been my dream to join…” or “All I ever wanted to do in my life was…” Be reasonable and modest.

4) Use relevant terms that the employer may identify with.

This is another opportunity to show how knowledgeable you are about the industry. Convince employers that you are very familiar with the industry. However, avoid using jargons which you don’t fully understand for the sake of saving yourself from embarrassment when you do get that interview.

5) Include thought provoking points.

Pose a question or a thought that will cause employers to feel that discussion with you would be worthwhile even if they had overlooked your resume.

6) No room for grammar and spelling mistakes.

No matter how great your content is, if you spell a word wrong or have a silly grammar mistake, this could potentially jeopardize your entire application process. This will be a turnoff in the eyes of your potential employer as it reflects your lack of focus and interest for their firm.

Revise!

No matter how well you think you’ve written, chances are, it will be infested with grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Part of your revision may even involve deleting parts of your cover letter! You may also need to write more to make your paragraphs look more transitioned and easy to follow. Also be mindful of choice of words, content and structural issues, and overall style and that the parameter of your cover letter fits the standard.

Revising is not an easy task. It is not only time consuming, but also the chance of improving something you’ve written yourself is low. Have your cover letter professionally edited. Whether it is for a college application, academic purpose, or for a business presentation speech, a single undetected error can jeopardize your chance of admission, your GPA, or acceptance by your audience.

Comments are closed.